Anita Schenk

Schenk, Anita Passed away on November 11, 2008 at home surrounded by her husband and sons. She was born Anita Elisabeth Gareis on April 14, 1932 to Fred and Anna Gareis in Minneapolis. During her 76 years, she graduated from Patrick Henry High School and earned an Associates Degree from St. Olaf College. After college she went to work as an advertising traffic manager for WPBC Radio, agencies Pigeon Savage Lewis and Colle+McVoy as well as WTCN-TV. Anita will be missed by her husband and high school sweetheart, Marvin Schenk, whom she married in 1953. Marv and Anita raised three sons, Chris, Nick and Tony. Anita loved music, tennis, golf and the Vikings. She sang in the respected Minneapolis women's choral group, the Cecilian Singers and played piano beautifully. For over twenty years, Anita played piano at the Fridley Convalescent Center and Lynwood Nursing Homes for the residents' worship services. She also played piano for the St. Philip's Lutheran Church Sunday School. Anita will be especially missed by Maddie, Jack and Ollie, her three beloved grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her raucous games of Liar's Dice, mysterious birthday serenades, wonderfully sappy greeting cards, and her generous loving heart. Anita is also survived by her loving older sister and constant telephone companion, Norma Kermeen of Champlin. Daughters-in-law, Deb Amberg and Julie Swenson will miss Anita's friendship and kind heart. We'll remember Anita with a service honoring her life on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at St. Philip's Lutheran Church, 6180 Highway 65 NE, Fridley, Minnesota 55432. Friends and family are invited to the visitation at 10:30 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Anita to one of the charities she supported including the American Heart Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Salvation Army, The Animal Humane Society, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Habitat for Humanity, The March of Dimes, First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center, North Metro Humane Society, St. Philip's Food Shelf, VFW, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The American Cancer Society, The American Red Cross, Easter Seals and last but not least, the Smile Train.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.